Press Release
Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
June 10, 2013

First PH Grand Parade in Historic Filipintown, A Gigantic Success

Los Angeles—“ We are happy. This actually much more than we expected., a real extravaganza!”

This how Deputy Consul Daniel Espiritu described the 5,000 strong Philippine Independence Grand Parade , the first ever held in Historic Filipinotown in more than a decade.

The last Philippine Independence parade was held on the centenary of the Philippine Independence in June 12,1998 , exactly five years before the Historic Filipinotown came into being. It started in MacArthur Park and ended up at Echo Park, passing the Philippinetown Temple side from Alvarado to Glendale.

Arturo P. Garcia, FACLA Director and the Parade Coordinator of the Kalayaan 2013 Parade declared: “ I am extremely happy. This only goes to show that the Filipino community in America is united and empowered.”

3 Mile Long Parade

The march revelry was led by the world famous DINAGYANG Dancers who also graced the New York Independence Day celebrations last June 2, 2013. The led banner was the Philippine Consulate of Los Angeles led by Consul General Hellen Dela vega and her staff who patiently walked the 3 mile parade.

More than 50 organizations came out from all over Southern California to join in the more than 10 blocks long parade in Historic Filipinotown. More than 74 others exhibited in Silver Lake Medical Center (SLMC) where an afternoon program was held. On the other hand the food booth was located in FACLA where the parade ended ,

The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles had the biggest delegation on convertibles, pick –up trucks, Igorot Dancers followed by the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles ( FACLA) contingent followed by the Knights of Rizal, Pilipinotown Inc, SEIU 721 and the JFAV Filipino Veterans and widows.

Santa Cruz De Mayo in June

The Filipino Ministry,FACLA and FILAM TV/TRIBUNE-USA highlighted the traditional Filipino Tradition of SantaCruzan displaying the Sagalas and their Consortes on pick-up trucks, convertibles or open hatched cars.
They also displayed the different pastoral council banners,parishes logos and saints mounted on convertibles and pick-up trucks.

Also notable participants were the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council ( HFNC), Rotary Clubs, different alumni associations, Chambers of Commerce, regional, provincial associations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who proudly displayed their banners.

The Binibining Pilipinas beauties brought up the rear of the march in a large flatbed truck.

They were cheered on by the resident of Historic Filipinotown who came out in force in their terraces and on the sidewalks waving Pilipino flags. “ There should be more events like this so that our community will be happy” remarked 20-years old resident.

For more information please contact FACLA at (213) 484 1527 or email us at [email protected] or check our website at newfacla.org